| Content Note | Topics covered:
Apologies for absence received from the Indian High Commission, Captain Sir Miles Wingate and Professor Sir Peter Shepheard.
Welcome to Colonel Ellis, representing the High Commissioner for Canada for the first time at a Commission meeting, and also to Mr D.R. Parker (first time as Director of United Kingdom Area) and Mr D.G. Stacey.
Appointment
Refers to appointment of His Excellency Shri Kuldip Nayar as High Commissioner in London for the Republic of India.
Award
Refers to award of the British Empire Medal to Mr J.E.A. Davies, Senior Head Gardener in France Area, in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
Minutes of the 579th Meeting of the Commission and Matters Arising From The Minutes
Circulation of minutes and updates on Commonwealth-Tunisia War Graves Agreement, situation in Iraq, and Pakistan’s membership of the Commission.
Air Conditioning – Head Office
Update on three major developments since the December 1989 meeting and discussion around the proposal to install a new air conditioning system at Head Office, Maidenhead.
Storm Damage
Report on damage at Runnymede Air Forces Memorial and Brookwood Military Cemetery, including the problems of replacing lost trees, particularly birch trees.
Proposed Development Near Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, North Yorkshire
Discussion regarding proposed development of open land adjoining the cemetery as a superstore.
Inscriptions On Crosses Of Sacrifice In The United Kingdom
Refers to letter received from member of the public concerning with the appropriateness of the wording of a inscription on the Cross of Sacrifice at Netley Military Cemetery.
Forecast Of Outturn 1989-90
Mentions forecast took account of recent purchase of a house in Ieper for the Director of Northern European Area.
Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees: Appointment Of Members
Refers to error in paper under this item.
Execution Of Documents
Mentions Commission took note of documents (serial numbers 643-645 and 280-285) and signing by Legal Adviser and Solicitor.
Burials And Commemorations
Refers to approval of alternative commemoration of 21 war burials.
Annual Report Of Exhumations And Reinternments: 1989
Refers to part of Cape Town (Wynberg Church Street) Cemetery sold for development.
Tours By Commissioners And Head Office Senior Officials
Refers to Chairman’s visit to Egypt, noting condition of Tel-el-Kebir. Also refers to Secretary’s visit to East and South Africa, noting considerable advance in standard of maintenance, particularly in non-European cemeteries.
Diary
Mentions President Havel of Czechoslovakia would be visiting Czech graves in Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Other Business
Refers to excavated war grave in the Netherlands, promotions of senior staff, fundraising for an appeal to support a life-saving operation for the daughter of the Group Supervisor in Pakistan, and arrangements of Anzac Day 1990.
ATTENDEES:
General Sir Robert Ford GCB CBE (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
His Excellency The Hon Douglas McClelland AC (High Commissioner for Australia)
His Excellency Mr Rae Killen (Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa)
Air Chief Marshall Sir John Gingell GBE KCB
Major General Desmond Smith CBE DSO CD
The Rt Hon J. D. Concannon
Dame Janet Fookes DBE MP
Sir Derek Day KCMG
Sir Nigel Mobbs DL
Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt GCB LVO
Mr K.C. Macdonald CB (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom)
Mr R. G. S. Johnston (Representing the Secretary of State for the Environment in the United Kingdom)
Colonel D.B. Ells (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Commodore J. G. Leonard RNZN (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
ADVISORS:
Professor G.T. Prance MA DPhil FLS (Honorary Botanical Adviser)
SECRETARY:
Mr J. Saynor JP, Director-General
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr D Kennedy, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Administration)
Mr N.B. Osborn OBE FRICS, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Operations)
Mr G.C. Reddie, Legal Adviser and Solicitor
Mr T.F. Penfold, Director of Personnel
Mr A. Coombe, Director of Works
Mr D.R. Parker, Director of United Kingdom Area
Mr P.J. Noakes BSc MIHort, Director of Horticulture
Mr R.D. Wilson ACMA, Director of Finance
Mr J.P.D. Gee, Director of Information and Secretariat
Mr D.G. Stacey, Higher Executive Officer (Secretariat)
Mr S.T. Bell, Secretariat |